First off learn the name Patrick Beverly because he's no scrub. Second Patrick is no dirty player, he's just playing harder than his competition. I'm trully sorry for what happened to Russell West brook but if you want to talk dirty analyze the two games played so far. You'll wonder way half the OKC team hadn't been hit with techs and why more Rockets haven't been injured. #GoRedNation#

It seems like Morey and McHale, AS USUAL, are trying to prove to the world that the Rockets backup point guards (at first Douglas, then Beverley) are better than Jeremy Lin (I've *predicted* and posted it that it'll happen more in the playoffs, due to all games nationally televised..... Let's see, how did I guess? LOL). Thus, I hope Lin doesn't play in game #3 IF HE ISN'T HEALTHY ENOUGH. And if he does play, I hope the Thunder don't take out Russell's injury on Lin, who had nothing to do with the injury (I hope not to Bev either - was not intentional. Thunder have goons for playing dirty ).

To Morey and McHale: Stop trying to mask Lin's team-play superiority to Beverley by playing them TOGETHER ALL THE TIME. Let each point guard (the combo guard Harden, Lin, Beverley) play with both starters, as well as with the reserve group. At the very least, don't let Lin and Beverley play together: UNLESS YOU SEPARATE THOSE 2 POINT GUARDS (let them play against the same opposing team with the same roster strength), THERE'S NO WAY TO ACCURATELY TELL WHO IS THE BETTER POINT GUARD between Lin and Beverley (I don't care how you've perceived them in team practices - which I've not heard, but Lin referred to Beverley as "a freak of nature" as a compliment).

During the regular season, We have seen time and time again (maybe 75 to 85% ??) when Lin was either taking a breather or benched (and backups, either Douglas or Beverley was on the court), the Rockets lead shrank to nothing or if they were trailing, their deficit widened. Occasionally, their lead temporarily remained or even went up a little and whenever that happened, McHale left the backups on the court way too long (in effect treating them like the starters and treating Lin like a backup) and that's how the Rockets LOST SEVERAL GAMES during the regular season (maybe between 6 to 8 games lost that way)!!! Those games really showed people that Lin is indeed a starting caliber PG, so McHale stopped Lin and Beverley from playing *separately* for the past 2 months or so it seems. Also, McHale lost at least several more games because of his inability to make in-game adjustments; they lost too many close and overtime games.

I remember last season when you were HATING ON LIN, saying that he wasn't good enough to play in the NBA and that everybody here who was saying he would succeed was an idiot.

You saw Lin play in high school, and from that you concluded that Lin had absolutely no shot at EVER succeeding in the NBA. And don't you even accuse me of twisting your words, not after all the flames you fired at Lin's fans here for recognizing Lin's NBA potential.

Lin's been PUNKING YOUR TROLL ASS for years, and so you're pissed off. That's why you only show up to post flames at Lin and Lin's fans here whenever Lin doesn't have a great game.

Face it, TVN. You were DEAD WRONG about Lin being incapable of playing in the NBA, you hater.

Beverley is just a scrub who hustles hard now because he's fighting for a new contract and to stay in the nba. He has few actual basketball skills whatsover. This kind of guy who only knows to play on one speed won't survive in the nba for very long. He reminds me of Norris Cole of the Heat whose only career highlight was some steals against Lin last year. Beverley on the other hand got his career game against Westbrook.

Calling him a scrub is a bit much. Beverly is a legitimate backup point guard. I actually like him a lot better than Toney Douglas, who isn't even a point guard, but was willing to steal money pretending to be one because he knew that he was too short to make it in the NBA as a shooting guard.

Yes, he is playing for a contract. So was Lin last year during Linsanity. (Not comparing Lin to Beverly in terms of ability. Lin is much, much better than Beverly). But when he settles down, he will be a better PG than a lot of teams have, including what the Rockets had for most of the season.

With Lin, Harden and Beverly, the Rockets' backcourt is set. That is a good thing, because it allows them to focus on the frontcourt. Hopefully they will get a backup swingman who is from 6'5"-6'7" who can back up both SG and SF and is a great defensive player on the depth part. That way they could push Harden without taking minutes away from Lin. With a guy like that and also with Beverly able to play with Lin in the lineup at the same time, that would really be a way to put pressure on harden to defend and pass better next year.

You're also a goddamn flame troll too then, Solidz75. You're stupider than I had realized.

And my MN trade was meaningless trade speculation, just like the Lakers trades that never happened this season. Only you would feel personally offended by trade scenarios.

TVN said I didn't see those clips, solidz75. By agreeing with him that I didn't see those videos, you just outed yourself as another DUMBASS FLAME TROLL. Those hits are on youtube to see, you stupid hater!

@Cara, why all the hate towards Beverley. All people were saying that Lin was "a scrub who hustles hard now because he's fighting for a new contract and to stay in the nba."

Beverley was floating around Europe playing in various league. He got an opportunity to play in the NBA and he's making the most of it, playing his style of ball. Would it make it you feel better if he totally washed out and got cut from the NBA? Give him a break.

He played a great playoff game against OKC. We need more Rocket players to step up if we want to see them make it to the next round and to continue to see Jeremy show the world his skills.

I watched the replay, and Bev's left hip came at a certain ankle and swiped WB's knee while pushing it hard. Yeah, that was pretty hard. The suddenness of the impact, added to the angle, I could see why WB got injured. Bev should have been given a technical for fouling WB after a time-out had been called. No dirty foul but dumb foul for sure.

Seemed like a bang-bang play, Beverly going for a steal while Westbrook going for the nonchalant timeout. Sh!t happens move on. JLin had to recover from his injury last year so Westbrook has to recover from his next year.

It's the playoffs. Let's talk about the elbow that Perkins gave Harden or the blow to the face that Lin took from West brook. We won't because ur a hater. It was unfortunate it happened so get over it. Hater!!!!!

I am JLin supporter and I am actually a long time Laker fan. So from my perspective the Lakers season was technically over when Kobe got hurt. So teams just have to deal with the cards that have been dealt and play ball. The Thunder have Durantula going forward, what has been done is done.

oh man game 3 just got more exciting!!! wow now PB will understand what Lin goes thru often. One moment everyone loves you and praising you, next thing you know, they're calling for your head. Wow, but I still Lin gets it bad, really bad... But idk this may turn the tide in the game, we'll see....

Lin is an after thought at this point. Everyone outside Houston is calling for bev's head. I'm sure if Lin was involved, there would be racist stuff up the wazoo. Then again, Lin would never do such unnecessary play. I just hope OKC players dont take out Lin.

Solidz75 you aren't solid at all. Your comments are week, like a house built on a sand foundation. Patrick Beverly has only displayed playoff intensity. As a matter of fact when he gives a hard foul he always attempts to help a fellow player and when he's hit hard, he always let's the player that did it know that it's cool. If you want to talk character and dirty play analyze the play off OKC. #GoRedNation#

OKC (Parkins, the thuggish goon) deliberately injured the Rockets vilified (by his own GM & coach) and team difference maker Jeremy Lin, so that McHale would run more iso for Harden #1 and Parsons #2 much to the delight of the phenom Serge Ibaka..... Now OKC are vilifying Beverley for what is considered a routine play. I get that a whistle was blown before that, so it was unnecessary. BUT the attempted steal play from Russell was ROUTINE. I'm getting scared of all the dirty plays that might ensue. I am a chicken.

Would he not play with a bad arm bruise. I want him to come out and try to play. If he can't then he can't. But show the world you are not a gigantic wimp. It's a freaking chest bruise Jeremy! Suck it up and play!

It's not serious but it does take time to heal. The location of the injury also affects a large range of his movement that's required to play basketball, like running, raising his arm to defend & shoot, etc. If he's in pain, he won't be effective on the court thus should not play.

Nope he should try to go. If he is stinking it up then McHale can pull him. He said it was the spasms that kept him in. Take a bunch of motrins.. A shot of toradol and try to give it a go. Everyone is hurting in the playoffs.

I think it will be a very physical and emotionally charged game tomorrow. I rather JLin sit out the game and not play through the pain because there will be more bumps and shoves that might aggravate the injury.

Spurs fan would be happy, they don't have any guilty feeling. I think most Houston fans will feel sad, I still don't think Rox could win the series without WB anyway, it is not like Rox could benefit too much from it. And even they win in Gm 3 or Gm 4, it would not feel as good as last game. And if we loose, it would feel really bad. Anyway, I don't like this. I was truely wish Rox would win with a good fight.

That's it. But U get the idea. This is crazy. Feel bad for the dude. If nba is serious about curbing violence, need to watch OKC players closely for fouls. But more than likely they will call foul after foul on the Rox players.

See some people talking about this Beverley's play was intentional. Since after he bumped WB, he didn't even look back and see what happened. Wouldn't that normally after you bump into somebody you would look back and check it out?

It was a low percentage steal attempt because OKC was going to call a time-out. However, I think Beverley did it anyways to maintain his intensity and defensive mindset, as well as try to irritate WB a bit, but he didn't intend to cause any injury. But overall it was unnecessary and also risky for his own body as well.

@ Solidz I see Jeremy try to steal the ball in that kind of situation a lot too, but when you try to steal, you don't rush towards people, you try to go around them, right? Beverley run into WB hard, really hard

Anyone have a good link of the Beverly incident? I really doubt it was Beverly's intention to injure Westbrook. I think the only argument you could make is that he was negligent which sucks... but that's bound to happen in the NBA, unfortunately. These players are getting payed millions of dollars to perform at a high level: They're constantly going to give it their all.

That's awesome. I love how Beverly has so much perspective. 1. He had a challenging time growing up, so now that he's getting payed huge money to play basketball.... and some basketball fans are talking crap: It's like nothing to the real threats he experienced growing up.

Secondly, the fans in Europe are much more insane than here... so even by being bombarded with what he's going through, he doesn't really respond emotionally: Because he has perspective.

Bev's play and personality got himself in this situation. You think Lin would have ever been associated with something like this?????? No. Bev didnt intentionally hurt WB but he needs to play smarter and not be so reckless.

Who said I hated Bev? You've been completely paranoid the past week, telling everyone Lin was losing his starting position to Bev. You, my friend have been acting completely crazy since the playoffs began.

You love drama, it doesn't matter who it is, that's why you keep posting fan tweets about Bev.

OK, I just watched a good shot of what happened. I don't think what Beverly did was dirty at all. He was just going for the steal and the collision was nasty. I'm sure this kind of thing happens all the time without incident. But this, freakishly, an injury very unfortunately occurred. That's my assessment at least.

I watched the game on wednesday cause i didn't have to work the day after. At least i watched the first 2 quarters.

I've seen live the incident and, in truth, i didn't like it at all. Beverly tried the whole game to get into Westbrook with trash talking and stuffs to get him in more foul trouble. But that move, for me, is crossing the line. Maybe someone don't agree but to me it wasn't fair.

It is to blame though what people are writing on beverly. It's just a basketball game!

Game 3 will be like a war. I think is better for jeremy to stay out if he's not 100%. That's no reason to risk your health for a team and an organization who didn't have respect for you throughout the season.

Rockets have little chances to win the series and even win a single game cause Durant will take over and people like Ibaka and perkins will be nasty in the paint. Let's see what happens...

First of all it's what i hope not what jeremy will do. Second if you get another knock on your chest, and opponents know when you have some problem, you'll have to come out of the game pretty soon. It's silly try to play a game like that when you can' t even shoot.

Okc will win 4-0 no matter what.... Beverly did good cause a man with a torn meniscus was guarding him....

I'm gonna add something: if jeremy would be allowed to play pg for the whole game just distributing the ball and try to get everyone involved i'd agree with you solidz. There's no need to shoot and if you have to it's just a layup or a little jump shot.

If jeremy would have to play waiting on the 3 point line he's gonna shoot Airball after Airball, if he's not 100%. It's all in mchale's hands....

Lin has nothing to prove to Rockets or Rockets' fans. By trying to play in a system and position that is not natural for him, while getting fouled often, are enough. I don't so much care about how tough of soft Lin is perceived, so I would rather see him sit if he's not 100%. I only get upset at Lin because I know he can do better, but seems to either over think or play lackadaisical time to time. Nothing to prove in a playoff where OKC is going to win 4-0 or 5-1. I rather Lin spent his toughness improving his game and staying healthy and perform better next year.

It's gonna be more physical than usual. Even where JLin does not feel serious pain, I imagine even normal contact may come with the risk of aggravating the injury. JLin likes to take charges, dives after loose balls, and draws contact at the rim. I'm worried about JLin playing like this even with the injury.

"Game 3 will be like a war. I think is better for jeremy to stay out if he's not 100%. That's no reason to risk your health for a team and an organization who didn't have respect for you throughout the season."

Well said !!!!! Lin's family, please pay attention. The chest is a bad area to risk being re-injured. The thug who did it to him is still there.

ztrta he did this with the knicks also. what kind of rep do want this kid to have? look out for himself and his cuddling fans only? hes gotta MAN up and play. hes becoming an afterthought as it is, just do whatever you can to help out at least.

It is not a dirty play or had any intention to hurt WB but it was clearly a foul.

If the hit was before the whistle for a time out then a normal foul call. If it was after the whistle, then it should be a technical foul. The ref just blew it.

We Lin fans should know Lin is a tough, competitive and high character person. If he feels he is good to go, he'll play, otherwise, I believe in him if he said he can't. He doesn't need to proof to anyone. If you have doubt about him, you are just a bandwagoner, not a Lin fan.

Yeap, the ref should have given a technical because a time out was called and Bev fouled WB. I saw the play again, and Bev's left hip hit WB's right knee pretty hard and put a lot of pressure on that spot for a split second. I could see why WB got injured, although it was not a dirty play. Like Bev said, Bev only knows how to play one speed: fast. That's Bev's weakness, because sometimes you have to slow down and change speed.

The play itself was completely unnecessary. Bev was trying to make Westbrook look foolish by trying to swipe the ball as he was going to the bench. You don't think Bev knows there will be a timout called? Scott Brooks already yelled it out loud from the sidelines so everyone knows it's coming. Bev has a bounty on his head, and deservedly so.

It's strange why Houston fans hate Jeremy Lin for not being able to play the 2nd half. Most of them - along with Morey & McHale (obviously they only implied) - always said that the backups are better than Lin.

I don't want Lin to pay the next game, coz his injury can't be healed enough on time. SAVE YOURSELF FOR YOUR NEXT TEAM, which could be next Tuesday! Morey, you can't trade Lin if his injury gets worse!

It's not as if Bev intended to impact Westbrook's knee. Look at the play. WB, on seeing the steal attempt, tried to shield the ball by turning his right knee into Bev. If there is fault to be found here, WB shares some of it for putting his right knee between Bev and the ball.

A Wojnarowski: The meniscus tear is considered to be minimal – perhaps 2 percent of the meniscus, one source said – and Westbrook’s recovery could be weeks instead of months, if the doctor decides to simply “clean up” the meniscus. A full repair of the meniscus would likely mean a three-month recovery for Westbrook.

If Lin is good to go I actually like to see him play because he can take ADVANTAGE of the situation with OKC emotionally charged toward Bev and can just do his thing and take charge with his playmaking and scoring and just freaking kill fisher (if he is healthy enough to do that). I don't expect Rockets have ANY CHANCE of winning if LIN is out as I don't think BEV will do well enough without Lin to take the pressure off while BEV will be aggressive attacked with or without the ball. I just don't think the ROCKETS can match OKC's intensity, even at home , and LiN will prove to be the equalizer (even if we lose) when BEV succums to OKC physicality, although no question in my mind Bev will still be Bev but he won't be as effective

OKC has enough players to beat Rockets without WB IMO. They will be playing with intensity, so I don't see WB getting hurt as a good thing for Rockets. Maybe for other teams OKC will meet during later rounds.

OKC is still going to take the series bc our coaching staff and players aren't smart enough to take advantage of the situation. Remember, Mchale is still the coach and Harden is still a ball dominant, ISO guard that doesn't know how to play off the ball.

The Thunder were not going to beat Miami 4 times, so this really does not affect the rest of the playoffs. Possibly less entertaining with WB gone, but from another perspective, the Thunder just got more interesting.

Now, we can see what happens when Durant takes over all those shot attempts that WB regularly throws away. Will Durant be much less efficient now? Will he get really crowded by the defense now that WB is gone? Will Brooks' unimpressive coaching be exposed?

idk Khuang. I'd go with Lin not playing, then Lin is treated with respect but he'll be limited in output until later in game, and then some key plays. But, he will be low key because it's probably still hurting. You said you've experienced this ... so have I. It's not a 3 day thing, even with stim. Micheal Terry said it's great stuff, but I've had it for double meniscus cleanup, plus shoulder injury 12 yrs ago (so not new), and it's not magic. It's going to be a handicap on our man. Go Jeremy!

Lin is the NBA's pinata for racist bashing. Plus, knocking him out has been the Thunder's goal all along.

I watched the Detroit Pistons Bad Boys and the 90s Knicks and some other really dirty players and teams. Nothing I've seen remotely compares to the racist bashing the NBA encourages on Jeremy Lin every game.

Kevin McHale talked trash about how James Harden was a power guard that could play in the 80s. He's WRONG - the real power guard that could easily withstand the bashing in the 80s is Jeremy Lin.

It should be noted that the Rockets may well be without their starting point guard as well. Jeremy Lin's status remained unchanged Friday following the chest contusion injury he suffered Wednesday night. Lin was unable to practice Friday and will be a game-time decision for Game 3. McHale did not tip his hand when asked who might take Lin's place in the starting lineup if he is unable to go. He simply said his club must place a premium on movement no matter who is on the floor.

"A lot of our ball movement is predicated on body movement," he said, "not so much off the dribble. When we get more bogged down is when we try to do too much stuff off the dribble. So you don’t have to be a point guard to pass and to throw it to the wing and cut through – all of our guys are capable of doing that and we’re going to have to do more of that."

@HY Hope you enjoy your time there. Even if the Rockets aren't fun to watch without JLin, Thunder is a big ticket team. Look out for KD to become a point-forward like LBJ! Should be quite a the performance.

As for Parsons' comment, JLin is probably insisting on playing so he might mean "I'm sure he's gonna 'try' to play". And then maybe the next line is prompted by the thought that, whether he does play really depends on the extent of his recovery.

Like I said, it's S.O.P. to be unclear about a player's injury status -- it makes it a little harder for the other team to prepare. Practice isn't going to help that much at this late stage anyway, so anyone who isn't 110% should sit out.

If nothing else, I'd like to see Jeremy suit up and be ready to come off the bench if they need him. If OKC struggles without Westbrook, then he can just take the night off and stay on the bench.

Rockets will miss Lin's defence. With WB out they need to do helping defence against K Durant so Bev will collect quick fouls (being the uncontrolled sort of guy he is) then Brooks and Anderson will play more minutes or even Delf will play guard.

Interesting to see if OKC will play intimidating dirty play against Bev and if Rox will retaliate against Perkins. Probably OKC will get many technicals cos Rox are not natural dirt bags like Thunder. Watch out for a lot of elbows, head and face swipes, shirt and hand holds, charges and flops!

I'd think they will miss Jeremy's play making more. They could hide the defense with playing zone a little bit. With WB out, Parsons might get into foul trouble early, then Rocket will really have some problem.

And if Jeremy is out, expect Harden play super long minutes, since without James or Jeremy, Beverley is not really effective to organize offense. Unless they go super small with Beverley together with AB. That would be funny though.

Wow what a warrior to play the second half with a torn muscle.....and STILL dominate, that dude is the elite of elites in the pg position, oh well still a rockets fan and hope we can sneak into the second rd. Kinda wonder how he was able to play and not lin with a chest bruise? I guess everyones pain tolerance is different.....go lin/rockets!

YES I believe he is calling Jlin soft! It is warranted as westbrook finished the game even with a season ending injury and Jlin left with what looked like heartburn. MAN the hell up lin, I can deal with the first playoff struggles but he looked hella soft.

I will try to enjoy the 2 games, but w/o JLin, I am afraid I will lose interest, as I am really not an expert/veteran bball viewer, I come mainly to support/cheer for JLin, and no one else, especially not coming to see someone else taking his place :-(